Lebanon’s Al-Hariri resumes quest for national unity government

Madeleine Wahbi
For Al-Shorfa.com
2009-08-19

Lebanese Prime Minister-elect Saad Al-Hariri (R) welcomed French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner to Beirut in July. (Reuters)

BEIRUT — Lebanese Prime Minister-elect Saad Al-Hariri, who has been embroiled in political wrangling since the victory of his March 14 alliance in the June 7 elections, has returned to Beirut after a brief and much-needed break in France. The embattled leader’s decision to take a one-week vacation came just hours after his principal March 14 ally, Walid Jumblatt, announced that he was striking out alone and exiting the alliance. Al-Hariri’s decision came as a surprise to many in Lebanon, which faces the threat of a security breakdown if no new coalition arrangement can be found.

Although Al-Hariri still benefits from strong popular and party support, there are rumblings of discontent over his political leadership. Party officials and observers said that before Jumblatt’s departure, Al-Hariri had come close to forming a government of national unity. Optimism evaporated, however, with Jumblatt’s shocking announcement.

Sources close to Al-Hariri confirmed that he had travelled to France to ponder Jumblatt’s decision. Upon his return, he appeared resolute and determined to face the situation directly and contacted the Progressive Socialist Party (SPP) leader on his 60th birthday. Their telephone conversation was brief but reportedly friendly, and sources said the two figures agreed to meet informally to discuss future cooperation despite their few overlapping political interests.

Regarding the formation of a government, Al-Hariri is prepared to start from scratch and resume his punishing schedule of meetings and telephone calls with other party and political leaders.

Some sources claim that the balance of the new government is unaffected, with 15 cabinet posts reserved for the majority, 10 for the opposition party Hezbollah and five for the neutral bloc led by President Michel Suleiman.

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